[ad_1]
PROBIOTICS have become an important topic of conversation about health in recent years, as scientists and the public became increasingly aware of the importance of a healthy digestive system.
However, probiotics are by no means a universal solution and the field is relatively complex and fluid.
WHAT ARE PROBIOTICS EXACTLY?
Probiotics are micro-organisms (almost always bacteria) that have beneficial effects on the body and its functioning. These microorganisms are identical or similar to those already present naturally in the human body.
Probiotic supplements are therefore commonly taken to correct a deficiency of specific bacteria.
Probiotics, both those that occur naturally in the body and those obtained from foods and / or supplements, are mainly concentrated in the gastrointestinal tract, where they form part of the intestinal flora.
A healthy intestinal flora is an essential part of digestion, and deficiencies can have several negative health consequences here.
Some of the most common strains are those of the family Bacteroides, which account for about 30% of all bacteria in the intestine.
Other important strains include:
• Lactobacilli
• Fusobacterium
• Ruminococcus
• Bifidobacterium, especially Bifidobacterium lactis
• Peptostreptococcus
• Clostridium
Why are probiotics beneficial?
Probiotics perform a wide range of important functions for the maintenance of health, including digestion. Probiotic supplements can be taken as a preventative, but are more often used to treat gastrointestinal problems occurring sporadically.
CONSTIPATION
Constipation is one of the most commonly treated conditions with probiotics, either alone or in combination with other medications, such as a laxative or a prokinetics. Probiotics are particularly useful in situations where constipation is caused by incorrect or incomplete digestion of food. Such constipation is usually the result of imbalances in the intestinal flora, and a probiotic supplement can help restore the imbalance. In this way, it allows you to regain the ability to digest food.
DIARRHEA
In contrast, probiotics are also often indicated in the treatment of diarrhea. They fulfill a dual role here: first, a probiotic supplement can ensure that the intestinal flora remains healthy and well balanced. This could speed up the return to normal defecation. Second, severe diarrhea can lead to depletion of intestinal flora, which can slow recovery. In some cases, the symptoms may even worsen. Supplementation with Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus plantarum appears to be particularly useful. Traditionally, the plantarum strain was administered alone, but modern best practices include both Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus acidophilus for increased efficiency.
Constipation and diarrhea can also be caused by other medications taken for unrelated conditions, including anti-inflammatories and potent antibiotics (for more information about this later).
In such cases, a probiotic supplement is often prescribed with the drug to minimize gastrointestinal side effects. These probiotics are usually taken for some time after the end of the main treatment to restore the balance of intestinal flora.
ALLERGIC TO MILK
Probiotics have also been shown to be effective in helping people with lactose intolerance alleviate their symptoms. Bloating, cramps, flatulence and diarrhea can be very annoying for lactose intolerant people, forcing them to adopt a restricted diet.
Lactose intolerance does not exist at present, but there are some treatments to improve lactose tolerance in individuals. Probiotics are increasingly recommended as a method to help people with lactose intolerance better digest lactose. Lactobacillus acidophilus in particular has proved extremely effective in stimulating the levels of enzyme digesting lactose, lactase, in the gastrointestinal tract.
Preliminary research shows that probiotics can also be useful in the management of inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
WHAT PROBIOTIC IS GOOD FOR ME?
To recap, these strains of bacteria have proven beneficial in these particular cases:
• To prevent or treat diarrhea – Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum
• To help manage lactose intolerance – Lactobacillus acidophilus
• Countering the effects of antibiotics – Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus F19
• Strengthen Immunity – Howaru Bifido
Choose at any time a probiotic supplement that best suits your needs, your diagnosis or your state of health. Simply look for the appropriate strains on the product label or ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
Also keep in mind that one of the most important factors to look for in a probiotic supplement is the ability to negotiate the harsh conditions of the stomach. Due to the amount of hydrochloric acid secreted by the stomach, the pH can reach up to one.
For a probiotic to be effective, it must be able to survive in this highly acidic environment.
Give these healthy bacteria the best chance of getting to where they need to go, making sure to eat well before taking the supplement. Having food in the stomach neutralizes the pH to create a more livable environment.
Also check that the probiotic comes with some sort of prebiotic, such as inulin. A prebiotic provides a "food" for the bacteria contained in the probiotic supplement. This helps maximize the amount of beneficial bacteria that survive the trip in the intestine.
Finally, keep in mind that probiotics can not replace conventional methods of treatment. If diarrhea persists, or if you think you may be lactose intolerant or have another serious gastrointestinal problem, it is important to consult a doctor. – Health24.
[ad_2]
Source link
